A group of men in the Berwickshire town of Lauder dressed up as the TV star and young girls for the annual festival celebrations.

Members of the Twenty 10 Club – created to allow young men to take part in the Common Riding festivities – won third prize in the float section with their entry “Jim’ll Fix It” named after Savile’s BBC show.

But the entry attracted criticism on Lauder Common Riding’s Facebook page.

One spectator, George Kynoch, said: “In light of the events surrounding that programme and the revelations since, I feel that was a step way over the line. Humour is funny. This, given the revelations, was just out of order.”

Margaret Ryles added: “I feel there was no respect for those who were abused by this very sick, sick man.

“This float should never have been allowed to have been entered regardless of freedom of speech and expression.”

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame said: “I have to say that I think this was really pretty bad taste.”

Savile, who died in October 2011, was described in a police report as a “prolific, predatory sex offender” who is suspected of abusing more than 200 people over a 60-year period.

Elaine Brotherstone, secretary of Lauder Common Riding, defended the entry.

She said: “There was no offence intended and they were not trivialising what happened.

“People have the right to complain but don’t have the right to tell us what to do.”